Bronze, silver, gold: Darja Varfolomeev, just 15 years old, wrote the next chapter in German gymnastics history at the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships in Sofia.
On Thursday evening, the student from TSV Schmiden won the title with clubs. It is the first German World Cup gold in 47 years.
“I’m overjoyed,” said Varfolomeev: “I can’t believe it.” Previously, she had already won the silver medal with the ball and finished third with the hoop. “It’s history for all of us,” said Isabell Sawade, team boss of the German Gymnastics Federation (DTB), completely “overwhelmed”.
With 33.55 points, Varfolomeev left Bulgaria’s Stiliana Nikolowa (32.60) and Italy’s Sofia Raffaeli (31.85) behind. Margarita Kolosov from Potsdam completed the outstanding German result in fifth place (31.35).
The last German gymnastics world champion to date was Carmen Rischer from Schwerte, who came first three times at the 1975 World Championships in Madrid.
In the team competition, the German squad won silver behind Italy and ahead of Spain. In the all-around the Germans only came in 14th. The all-around competition for individual gymnasts starts on Saturday.